Pay-by-plate and other changes approved for on-street parking downtown

The Council voted Tuesday to approve changes to on-street parking in downtown Oklahoma City that standardize time limits and add more convenient ways to pay for your space. The changes, which were introduced Aug. 1 and had a public hearing Aug. 15, will let drivers simply enter their license plate number when making a payment and impose the same time limit on every on-street, metered space downtown. Each metered space will have a two-hour time limit, simplifying the various limits currently in force around downtown. The new rate for on-street parking will be $2 per hour.<

Council approves agreement to complete construction of American Indian Cultural Center and Museum

The Council voted to approve an agreement with the State of Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services, the American Indian Cultural Center Foundation, AICCM Land Development and the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority that paves the way to complete the construction of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum (AICCM). The Council voted in 2012 to contribute $9 million to the project, and Tuesday's agreement formalizes commitments from the City and others. The state will pay $25 million to finish construction, and private donors and other organizations will provide the rest. The Council also voted to formalize transferring the museum property from the State to the City and then to AICCM Land Development, an LLC controlled by the Chickasaw Nation. When finished, the museum is expected to be a regional and national tourism draw that will pump outside money into the local economy, and spur private development nearby.

Council ratifies Scissortail Park as formal name of MAPS 3 Park

The Council voted to ratify the public vote choosing Scissortail Park as the formal name of the MAPS 3 Park. Construction began this summer on the 70-acre park, which will stretch from the future Oklahoma City Boulevard south to SW 15th Street on the north shore of the Oklahoma River. The 40-acre north section of the park is scheduled for completion in 2019. The Skydance Bridge spans I-40 and will connect the north section to the 30-acre south section, which is scheduled for completion in 2021. The Mayor and City Council invited residents to submit name ideas for the park this spring, and a committee chose finalists for a public vote. Scissortail Park was the public's choice.

City of Oklahoma City to partner with Edmond, Midwest City and Oklahoma County on criminal justice panel

The Council approved an agreement with the City of Edmond, City of Midwest City and Oklahoma County to form the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Advisory Council, which will develop and promote policies to reform the criminal justice system, enhance public safety, reduce unnecessary incarceration, control costs and encourage better communication and collaboration. The council is part of a growing effort to create a more effective and sustainable criminal justice system for the metro area.

Council Priorities update on social and criminal justice, recreational opportunities

Police Chief Bill Citty, Planning Director Aubrey McDermidand Parks Director Doug Kupper gave a Council Priorities update Tuesday pursing social and criminal justice initiatives, and enhancing recreational opportunities and community wellness. Citty highlighted the declining number of people incarcerated for municipal charges and the number of prisoner days used by the City at the Oklahoma County jail. McDermid updated the Council on efforts to end chronic homelessness and other social service programs, and Kupper's presentation included the latest Parks Department projects in the City.

Spending on the arts in OKC nearly $603 million annually

A presentation to the Council on Tuesday highlighted the financial impact of the arts community in Oklahoma City, citing a recent study by Americans for the Arts showing that spending on the arts in Oklahoma City nearly reached $603 million in 2015 alone. That ranked 10th out of 66 multi-county regions across the country included in the study, including peer cities like Nashville, Tenn. The number of full-time equivalent jobs supported by the arts spending in Oklahoma City is estimated to be about 20,570.